Wife accused of fatally stabbing husband free on $10,000 bond

Tarah Waynett Fries, 25, was brought from a cell to a courtroom in the Miller County correctional complex for her first appearance before District Judge Wren Autrey Wednesday morning. Autrey set Tarah Fries’ bond at $10,000 on the recommendation of Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Black. Later in the day Tarah Fries posted bond and was released from the Miller County jail.

The accused wife and mother of three was arrested Tuesday on a charge of second degree murder in the death of her husband, James Fries, 35. Miller County deputies were called to a home on Miller County 10 a few minutes after 2 a.m. Tuesday morning about a stabbing.

When officers arrived they found James Fries lying in front of the house, suffering from a single stab wound. According to Miller County officials, the couple had been involved in a heated domestic dispute at the time of the stabbing. Court records show James Fries filed for divorce in 2014 and the custody and support of their three children, ages 7, 5, and 2, were at issue. The divorce was still pending at the time of James Fries’ death.

The low bond set for Tarah Fries could be an indication that prosecutors are considering a claim of self-defense. Autrey scheduled Tarah Fries to return to court for a pretrial hearing before a circuit judge Jan. 19. If convicted of second degree murder, she faces a prison sentence of six to 30 years.